Naval Firefighters: How To Save Crew From A Burning Aircraft

At the country's most southern airfield a dozen trainee firefighters are learning the skills required to rescue a pilot from a stricken aircraft.

They're hoping to make the cut as naval firemen who may one day be required to carry out that rescue for real in a critical incident.

In the 1950s Predannack Airfield was used for a top secret flying project.

Today it's used by trainee naval firefighters learning how to rescue people from crashed planes and helicopters.

Over the years major aircraft incidents have been relatively few and far between but for the Fleet Air Arm it doesn't mean fire training can take a step back.

There are 15 ground airframes the trainees get to practice on.

There's everything from fixed wing jets to helicopters simulating the aftermath of a mid-air collision.

Each year four courses go through the 12-week training programme. 

These trainees only have two weeks left to go before joining one of the Navy's fire stations or even being deployed back to sea ready for any eventuality.

More: Next Generation Of Royal Navy Firefighters Put To Test